The reggae fraternity is in mourning following reports that roots reggae singer Fantan Mojah has died at the age of 49, just weeks before what would have been his 50th birthday.
The Rastafarian vocalist, celebrated for his spiritually charged music and uncompromising message, reportedly passed away on Tuesday evening at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston after suffering complications related to a heart condition.
Sources close to the singer told DancehallMag that his health deteriorated rapidly in the days leading up to his death. One source said that the “singer couldn’t walk 30 meters without breathing and blowing hard”.
Booking agent Vertex said that the singer had been doing well after returning to Jamaica from a trip to the United States, but then everything changed suddenly.
“Over the past week he started to ‘tek down’ and he was admitted to UHWI,” Vertex said. “Last night, he was vomiting blood, and that was it. He passed away.”
His reported death comes as a shock to fans, particularly as the singer had been preparing to return to the international stage. Fantan Mojah was reportedly scheduled to perform at this year’s Reggae Jam Festival in Germany, with Schengen visas for the trip having recently been approved.
In recent years, however, the singer had battled significant health challenges.
In July 2024, he was hospitalized in Martinique after experiencing severe breathing difficulties and chest pains. Reports at the time indicated that his heart was functioning at only about 15 per cent capacity, sparking widespread concern throughout the reggae community.
Despite the grim diagnosis, Fantan Mojah appeared to mount an inspiring recovery. By early 2025, reports described his condition as steadily improving, and he eventually returned to performing on stages across Europe, giving fans hope that he had overcome the worst of his health struggles.
Born Owen Moncrieffe, Fantan Mojah emerged as one of the defining voices of modern roots reggae, earning acclaim for his powerful vocals and deeply spiritual message. Songs such as Stronger, Hail the King, Hungry, Rasta Got Soul, and Nuh Build Great Man resonated with audiences worldwide, blending Rastafarian philosophy, social commentary and uplifting messages of perseverance.
His unwavering commitment to conscious reggae earned him a loyal international following and established him as one of the genre’s most respected cultural ambassadors.
Fantan Mojah is reportedly survived by at least five children. He reportedly separated from his wife in recent months.
Further details surrounding his reported death, including funeral arrangements and official statements from his family, were not immediately available.
If confirmed, his passing marks the loss of another powerful voice in reggae—a singer whose music consistently championed faith, resilience and the enduring spirit of Rastafari.
Fantan, whose given name is Owen Moncrieffe, gained popularity in the 2000s for thoughtful, reflective songs. He was among the top new Reggae acts of the mid-2000s when he was signed to Downsound Records. While in that camp, he released the song Hungry, which shot to the number one position in the Jamaican charts, where it stayed for eight consecutive weeks.
Fantan also released his acclaimed debut album Hail the King in 2005, which comprised hits such as the title track Hail the King, Corruption and Nuh Build Great Man, which featured Jah Cure.
He later released the albums Stronger in 2008, Rebel I Am in 2012 and Rasta Got Soul in 2016.
